The Nomad Spirit, with Abdulhadi Azouz
The Nomad Spirit: Lessons from AZ Aerials at CreativeMornings Riyadh
CreativeMornings Riyadh welcomed a thought-provoking speaker last Saturday: Abdulhadi Azouz, who spoke on this month’s global theme, Nomad. At Al Jalees, we view and journal these talks through a literary lens as cultural reflections, intersections of creativity, and reminders of what truly matters.
Meet the Nomad Speaker
Abdulhadi Azouz is the founder of AZ Aerials. What began as a fascination with drone racing soon grew into a flourishing career. His story highlights resilience, courage, and determination as the pathways to living life to the fullest.
Important Messages From The Talk
Abdulhadi’s message left us with a long lasting effect, showcasing his wisdom and incredible attitude towards life:
Leave your comfort zone and face the world outside you, the most valuable skills are learnt by overcoming hardships.
Opportunities are not handed to you, you must seek them.
Growth knows no ceiling; each peak reveals another summit.
Failure is not the end. It is the soil in which new growth takes root.
Success never happens in isolation. It flourishes when we lift each other up.
Pride holds us back, but humility and generosity push us forward.
Family, community, and a sense of purpose are the sources that keep us going.
He pointed out that Saudi Arabia is currently one of the most technologically advanced regions in the world. It offers unmatched opportunities for dreamers and doers. But the most important lesson was straightforward: define what matters most.
The Language of Nomad
The word nomad comes from the Greek nomas, meaning “roaming for pasture.”. For creatives, being a nomad isn’t about physical wandering but a mindset. This mindset is about exploration, reinvention, and the courage to leave comfort behind.
The Nomad in Literature
In literature, the nomadic archetype appears across cultures. From Homer’s Odyssey to Ibn Battuta’s travel chronicles and Bruce Chatwin’s The Songlines, the nomad is not just a wanderer of places, but also of identity, memory, and meaning. The literary nomad shows us that journeys are both outward and inward. Each path leads us closer to ourselves.
Suggested Readings on the Theme
- The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin
- Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- Travels by Ibn Battuta
- Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
A Shared Partnership
Our partnership with CreativeMornings Riyadh reflects what Al Jalees values most: blending ideas, disciplines, and communities. Together, we explore how language, literature, and lived experiences come together to form a beautiful and vibrant culture.
This month, Nomad was not only a theme but also a call. It reminded us that creativity thrives when we dare to wander; when we allow failure to teach us, and when we remain open to the horizons ahead.
Share your thoughts with us: What matters most on your path?